WORKING IT ROUT
Team USA demolishes Argentina after two straight exhibition losses
The order of the basketball universe has been restored — at least for one night in Las Vegas.
After losing two straight exhibition games to Nigeria and Australia, creating rare Olympic basketball panic, Team USA took out its frustrations on Argentina in a 108-80 rout Tuesday at Mandalay Bay Events Center. So there will be no 0-3 start.
Nets superstar Kevin Durant, after shooting 10-for-30 in the two losses, led the way with a 17-point, six-rebound, three-assist outing, draining 6 of 9 shots (3-for-5 on 3-pointers) in 24 minutes. Bradley Beal also scored 17 points as five U.S. Olympians hit for double figures. Zach LaVine dunked his way to 15 points, while Damian Lillard finished with 13 and center Bam Adebayo scored 12 points with five assists.
Prior to the loss to the loss to Nigeria on Saturday, the United States had a 54-2 record in exhibition games since 1992, when pros began playing on Olympic rosters. So to lose two straight was stunning — even if these are just warm-up contests.
“Our biggest thing is we have to realize this isn’t the NBA,’’ Beal said, regarding the opposing teams. “It’s way more physical, guys are smarter. They’ve been playing together five, 10 years. They have experience and chemistry and we’re trying to develop that in a short period. The sense of urgency is what we’re preaching. We got better and we’re moving in the right direction.”
Head coach Gregg Popovich said that in the loss Monday to Australia, the club “tired out” in the second half. In the second half versus Argentina, Team USA extended its lead to as much as 28 points in the third quarter against the smaller Argentine squad, which played as if it were saving its energy for Tokyo.
“We sustained it pretty well,’’ Popovich said. “In the game against Australia, we competed well, ran the floor for a half and then it dissipated in the second half. We maintained it throughout the game — a sign we’re getting in better condition. And we also have to get rhythm. Some of the players haven’t played in a while. Our first priority is getting back in shape.’’
Team USA won’t play its first real game until July 25, when it faces France in Tokyo. France, led by Frank Ntilikina, dealt the U.S. a devastating blow when it beat Team USA in the quarterfinals of the 2019 World Cup.
The U.S. team faced another Knicks point guard on Tuesday, Luca Vildoza, who signed in May. He had some decent moments, but didn’t play well overall, finishing with nine points on 3-for-8 shooting (3-for-6 from 3-point range).
Team USA still has two more exhibition games — versus Spain and a rematch with Australia. Argentina fell to 0-3 in warmups.
Devin Booker, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday — all of whom are playing in the NBA Finals — are still expected to be added to Team USA. The pandemic has Olympic training camp running concurrently with The Finals for the first time.
Popovich admitted that while watching The Finals, he has been focused on those three players more than the game.
“There’s no format to go by, how to blend them into the group,” Popovich said. “It’ll be a little bit by the seat of our pants.”
Team USA jumped to a 15-4 lead, heating up early from 3-point range and getting out in transition. Popovich’s club hit six 3-pointers and led by 33-19 after one quarter. In the second quarter, Argentina cut the deficit to 39-30, but that was the last time it was within single digits. Durant ended the half by beating the buzzer with a top-of-the-key, step-back jumper over exNet Luis Scola for a 58-42 lead at halftime.
“I love how everybody is coming together with camaraderie,” Beal said. “There’s no egos involved.’’